Opening of new Woden Police Station
November 2005
One of Australia's newest and most technically advanced police stations was officially opened with a gala ceremony in Canberra today.
The new $8.2 million Woden Police Station, built by the ACT government specifically for ACT Policing, was officially opened and handed over today by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope at a ceremony attended by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty, ACT Police Minister John Hargreaves and ACT Chief Police Officer Audrey Fagan.
Led by an official flag party and the ACT Pipes and Drums, Woden-based ACT Policing officers, together with AFP recruits in training, today participated in a ceremonial march to the new station.
Woden station is the first new police station opened in the ACT in 10 years and replaces the previous Bradley Street premises which first became operational 35 years ago.
The new Callam Street building was designed in consultation with police to ensure it satisfies ACT Policing's needs well into the future. It will be an around-the-clock workplace for 120 sworn officers, unsworn members and Volunteers in policing.
"This is a state-of-the-art police station, ideally suited to our operational requirements," Chief Police Officer Audrey Fagan said.
"Over the past 15 years the rapid growth of Canberra's South District, which the Woden station serves, had placed considerable demands on our infrastructure. This new building has allowed us to incorporate some new technologies and equipment which will deliver greater efficiencies and enhance the capabilities of our staff."
Among the technologies installed in the new station is a highly flexible digital CCTV operation, with multiple-site monitoring and rapid-scan capability. The 2260 square metre building was designed by Collins Caddaye Architects with an east-west orientation. The lower floor is specifically set aside for operational needs comprising mainly the front office, control room, Watch House, duty offices and undercover parking.
Upstairs is a much larger area, with specific areas set aside for our general duties officers and Territory Investigations Group detectives, a muster room, conference room, administrative offices, tea room and small gymnasium.
The location of the new station, within walking distance for foot patrols of the Woden Mall and Phillip business district, and minutes via main thoroughfares to the Tuggeranong Valley, is seen as ideal for community policing and to optimise response times.
"That close contact with business and the community is important," CPO Fagan said. "It allows us to engage in several progressive community policing initiatives, one of which will commence within the next few weeks."
